Thanks, that was an interesting link.
Ingrained in my mind is the title of a movie, “All Dogs go to Heaven.” My experience with animals is pretty much limited to cats and dogs. I like them both. I cannot imagine that a cat would choose to die for its master. However it is easy to imagine that a dog would do so.
Farmers and zoo keepers are familiar with more animals. What animal, besides a dog, might conceivably sacrifice itself for a person? Dolphins perhaps?
As to cats and almost all animals, the term “nefesh” clearly applies.
As a youth, I found my dog one morning with its tail between its legs. Then I saw the wrappers that once held individual chocolate candies. Putting two and two together, I yelled at the dog and even spanked him.
He was so relieved. He knew he’d done wrong, paid his dues, and would soon be forgiven. A few licks to the face latter and I felt I had no choice but to hug him.
Guilt, love, self-sacrifice, these are traits that can be found in “man’s best friend.” Although I never saw the movie, I wonder if perhaps all dogs do go to heaven.
Lovely reply, ChessExpert, but I am going to have to go back and see what it was I wrote you about.
Because I’ve no idea how we got on the subject of animals on this thread.
Gosh, it is hard being senile at 52! lol